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Merry Christmas!
Hidden Hollow Christmas Lights
Friday Dec. 8, 2023
Dana Koogler and Sharon McGee
The original plan was for myself and Kenny to go over to friend Sharon's home in Jamestown, TN Friday evening. I'd get the kids out of school and we'd head that way and go to the Christmas lights Friday evening. Plans tend to change with us. Granddaughter Tessa came down with strep throat late Thursday. Her brother Michael, our fourteen year old grandson, was still feeling a bit puny from having had it himself earlier. He was worn out from band concert on Thursday night. Add to that Kenny found out he was probably going to have to work on Saturday. Add to that our grandkids needed to be back on Saturday night because our childrens Christmas pageant was Sunday morning. It wasn't stacking up too well. I decided I would just go by myself Friday morning and spend Friday night. I'd have to get up Saturday morning to head home. I had promised Adam & Crystal a day to themselves on Saturday. We go through spells of trying to cram too much into a weekend.
I got up Friday and headed over to Sharon's house. I got there just before lunch. I'm not exactly sure, but I think it was around 11 am. We gabbed a little. We loaded up and went to Livingston for lunch at Wayne's Grill. She also took me by the Out of Date Store. It was pretty cool.
Lunch at Wayne's was satisfying. I found out Wayne passed on a couple years back, but his son is running the place.
Next we went to Cookeville. Sharon needed to drop a picture off at a frame shop for repair. Odie went with us. He was so good all day. We went shopping at a store I had seen, but never checked out... Gabe's Department store. It was very nice! I got some Christmas shopping done.
It was timing out about right. We went and hiked to City Lake Falls. Sharon had never been.
Odie needed a stretch break. It was a short, easy hike where Odie was welcome. It is right near our final destination... Hidden Hollow. A man sat on the dock playing a guitar. It sounded so nice!
The falls were running fairly well though water levels are still diminished.
Above is a photo of City Lake Falls.
Below is a short video of the same waterfall
Once we got done at City Lake we loaded back up and drove the short distance out to Hidden Hollow Park. I had only been here once before and that was many years ago. Back when it was Arda Lee's Hidden Hollow. Neither of us had ever been here for Christmas lights display. It was to start at five p.m so they suggested getting there a few minutes early. We were about half hour too early. We drove around for about fifteen minutes. We were glad we did for we got to see a beautiful sunset from "Sunset Acres" barn up on the ridge.
Below: Sunset from this spot!
We did not sit at the gate long back at Hidden Hollow. I knew how much it cost, but had no idea how to go about paying or the logistics of the whole event. I phoned them to ask. It turned out to be easy. You just pay at the snack bar once you enter. It is $7 per person. Once they realized we were out at the gate they came on and opened up a few minutes early. It was getting dusky so our timing was good.
It was a comfortable evening. Our coats felt good, but there was no wind whipping to chill us. Paying was easy and fast. We were first to arrive. The staff was helpful and it was nice. It looked like a fairy tale place. A little bit of true Americana still hanging on in this day and age. We had the option to park and walk around or drive not one, but three different routes to see the lights!
We parked and walked first. Odie was welcome there which was also nice.
Below are photos sorry for how blurry driving through the main entrance at the covered bridge.
I found out that another limitation of Go Pro is that it isn't the greatest on night photography.
My regular camera isn't much better. I tried all kinds of things to improve the images without much success.
Below: Arda Lee's Hidden Hollow at Christmas!
Above: Cute ponies getting ready for kids
Below: Just getting started to view the lights
Above: the lights lining the pavilion
Abov
above: a cozy fire in the pavilion and such a nice spot to have a snack, a cup of coffee or hot cocoa!
Below: Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus were there. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Odie had his picture taken with them. What a photo op!
Above: close up of the red and green sparkles on the parking area
Below: This is where we parked so the action starts the second you pull up to the gate and just keeps going!
Above: choo choo train as part of the mini golf course!
Above: some odd rock forms. this looks like a camel to me or maybe a dolphin
Three shots above: Carolers under a lamp light
Below; Another look at the building with the mill wheel as we prepared to leave at nights end.
Below: Gingerbread house
Below: Memorial plaque regarding Nora Evangeline Lee
Below is a video of the highlights of the event. It demonstrates it way better than my photos do.
They have a waterfall at Hidden Hollow. It is hard to see at night, but it was still flowing. It is in the video clips.
We had a great time. We got done and headed to Cookeville and had dinner at Longhorn Steak House. We had good food. Great company and conversation.
All in all it was a fun visit and I'm already looking forward to going back to do more stuff with Sharon!
Kenny is a little jealous because he missed out, but he was happy for me.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. I enjoy hearing from those who read & make use of my blog. I have made some wonderful friendships through emails from readers. I respond to all comments and emails. I appreciate folks reaching out to let me know when my blog entries are not functioning correctly or if the situation somewhere has changed. Many Blessings to you!
Dana 🐝